Loading machine



May 12, 1942- c. J. WATNE I LOADING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 7, 1940 Filed May '7, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 12, 1942 v LOADING MACHINE Carl J. Watne, Nok0mis, Ill., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation'of Massachusetts Application May 7, 1940. Serial No. 233,803

'11 Claims.

This invention relates to loading machines, and more particularly to gathering devices for moving coal or similar material onto the conveyor of a loading machine. 7

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved loading machine. It is another object of this invention to provide improvedgathering means fora loading machine, especially but not exclusively for a loading machine of the track supported and guided type adapted to operate from a mine trackway. It is still another object of this invention to provide improved means for gathering and discharging material onto a loading conveyor and having means for moving said gathering means in an improved manner. another object of this invention is to provide an improved material gathering device having improved gathering members and improved Still means for moving said members to gather and mov material onto a conveyor, and then move said members, as they return to gathering position again, in such a way that they will not interfere with the material on the conveyor or tend to pull it off. Still another object; of the invention is to provide improved gathering devices which will move material onto a conveyor and then withdraw from their advanced positions to retracted positions without substantially overrunning the forward end of the conveyor. Another and further object ofthe invention is to provide improved means for substantially preventing escape of material delivered to .a conveyor. Other objectsand advantages of the in,- vention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown for purposes of illustration one form and a modification which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings: 4

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a track mounted loading machine having embodied therein an illustrative form of the improved gathering means. Y

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan viewof the-loading end of the machine of Fig. 1, showing the improved gathering mean'sand aportion of the elevating conveyor. v 1 a l Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the plane of the 'line.33 of Fig. 2.

the line 66 of Fig.5 and showing one of the gathering devices.

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the gathering arms.v I

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of gathering arm. The illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown incorporated ina loading machine of the track supported and guided type adapted to operate on a mine trackway and generally com-j prising a main frame or body I mounted on wheels 2 adapted torun along a mine trackway 3. It will be obvious that the invention may be incorporated in other types of loaders. Mounted on;' the main frame I is a front elevating conveyor 4 and a rear discharge conveyor 5 and associated with the front elevating conveyor is an improved gathering means generally designatedta The showing of the loading machine in general is conventional as my invention relates wholly to the gathering devices and elevating or gathering conveyor. The front elevating conveyor 4 and its associated gathering mechanism 6 are pivotally connected at 8 to the forward portion of a horizontally swingable frame Iii, and the rear-discharge conveyor 5 is vertically adjustable about a pivot I I at the rearward end of the frame Ill. The gathering mechanism 6 gathers the material to-be loaded and moves the-material acrossa shovel plate [2 at the forwardendof the elevating conveyor 4 and.

- onto a plate l4 extending along the bottom of the conveyor. As will be noted the conveyor mechanism 4 includes a chute or troughlike frame l3 of whichthe plate I4 forms the bottom,

, and sloping flanges. l4 extending longitudinally of the trough overlie spaces in which flight-moving chains l5 may move. The endless flightmoving chains 15 extend along the sides of the conveyor 4 and pass around guide sprockets l6 attached to a crossshaft [1 arranged at the forward end of the conveyor below the bottom plate M with its ends journaled in the sides of a boxlike lower portion [8 of the front end of the Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional V ew t ken. on

conveyorframe. The chains I 5 are connected by transverse scraper bars l9 which slide along the bottom plate I 4 to move the material to be loaded, when the chains are driven by a suitable driving means mounted on the main frame I, along, the conveyor 4 to discharge onto the rear 4 I conveyor 5, the latter in turn dischargingfinto a mine car or other suitable receptacle placed beneath the discharge end of the rear conveyor in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. The plate i4 forming the bottom of the conveyor 4 is arranged in a plane extending parallel to and somewhat below the plane of the shovel plate l2 so that any material moved over the upper edge or lip of the shovel will drop'onto the plate i4 and be less likely to be swept off the conveyor by the gathering devices later described. In order to prevent material from sliding down the plate |4 after one bar l9 passes and before another moves up on top of theplate l4, there is provided a suitable gate-like element. This element herein is shown as a piece of flexible material 23 attached in any suitable manner to the lower rearward edge of the shovel plate I2 I and resting upon the top of the plate M in a position to be lifted by the scraper bars l9 as they pass beneath it during operation of the con-- veyor. Rubber, reenforced if desired, makes an excellent gate and. may be countedon for long life as well as effective'sealing. M

Referring now in detail to the improved gathering mechanism 6 it will be noted that gathering devices generally designated 2|, 2|: are mounted on the shovel plate It, at opposite-sides of the forward end of the. conveyor trough, to rotate about axes 22 perpendicular to the-upper inclined surface of the shovel plate |2. The gathering devices comprise, as shown in Fig. 5, disklike members 23 attached as by bolts 24 to stub shafts 23 which are journaled in hubs 2'! formed on the shovel plate at each side of the conveyor adjacent its lower end. Depending from the disk-like members 23 at the outer edges of the latter and spaced evenly from each other are portions 29 carrying pivot pins 30 to which gathering arms 3| are pivotally connected. Means are provided for rotating :the members 23 in such directions that the gathering arms pick upmaterial ahead of the shovel plate and carry .it inwardly and upwardly over the upper inclined surface of the shovel plate to the conveyor 4, and this means herein comprises chain sprockets 33 fixedto the lower 'ends of the stub shafts 26and having passing around them chains 35 driven by any suitable driving means mounted on the main frame I. Since the gathering devices are mounted at opposite sides of the conveyor they will, of course,be rotated in opposite directions. As shown in Fig. 2, the gathering arms 3| are so constructed and arranged that they will in alter nation extend beyond the longitudinal center line of the conveyor as they move upwardly across the shovel plate. Accordingly the gathering devices 2| will be so adjusted that thearms of one of the devices move out of step with the arms of the other. To assure movement of the arms so that they always maintain the desired relative positions, it is preferable that the devices 2| be driven by the same power unit. Obviously the gathering andlelevating conveyor devices may be driven by separate motors, or by. a single motor through suitable drive means, and with the motor, if one is used, supported at any desired point on the apparatus as a'whole.

Each gathering arm 3|, as shown in Fig. 8, is provided with a gathering portion 31 having formed on its outer end penetrating points 38 for digging into thetmaterial .to be loaded. Formed at approximately right.angles to the gathering portion 31 is aportion '39 having an opening 4| through its inner end'for receiving the pivot pin 30,-and attached to: the portion 39, as by welding, (or formed integrally if preferred) is a projecting portion '43 having a camsurface 44 which acts. to swing the arm in an improved manner, as hereinafter described. The arms 3| are mounted on the pivot pins 39, as shown in Fig. 6, so that their gathering portions 31 will extend substantially radially relative to the shaft 23 when the arms are in their inner positions, and their portions 39 extend generally tangentially to circles having their centers in the axis of the shaft. As the gathering devices 2| rotate, the arms 3| are swung outwardly about their pivot pins 3|) during movement toward the forward end of the shovel plate so that the points 38 and the gathering portions 3l' are forced into the ma- .terial to be loaded. The arms are, moreover,

held in their outward positions as they continue to move towards the conveyor in order that the gathering portions 3'! may carry the material upwardly over the shovel plate onto the conveyor. When each arm reaches the forward end of the conveyor it is swung inwardly about its pivot pin 30 so as to move the gathering portion 31 transverselyaway from the conveyor and thereby release the material to bel'oaded. The arms are then held in their inner retracted positions until they again approach the forward end of the shovel. Desirablytherate'of conveyor movement may equal-or exceed the rate of movement of the points38, at least when these overliethe edges of the conveyor. The swinging of the arms outwardly to their outer gathering positions is effected by a'stationary cam element or portion 46 formed ormounted-on the upper surface of the shovel plate l2 and providedwith a-cam surface 41 for engaging the'portion 39 of the arms, which may be suitably curved as shown if desired. Eachcam surface 41' extends, in the particular structure shown, spirally outwardly, to throw the arm out to digging position, then more or less concentrically with the hub adjacent it, to maintain the arm extended, and then slopes backslightly near its outer end. Another cam element or portion-48 formed on and projecting upwardly from'the shovel plate is provided with anose 48' and-an inner cam surface 49 which is engaged by the cam-surfaces 44 on the portions 43 formed on thearms after the nose 48' has forced the arms inwardly, to maintain the arms retracted. It will be noted that when the gathering arms are swungnto their inner retracted positions the points 38 on the arms are the only parts projecting beyond the outer edges of the disk-like members-23, and in order to provide a clearance for the portions 48 on the shovel, notches 5| are cut in the ends of the arms beneath the points 38. This is of advantage for the reason, also, that itincreases the clearance beneath the ends 38 as these move forwardly along the edge of the conveyor. In Fig. 9 there is shown a gathering arm like that of Fig. 8, except that it is provided with one or more pointed members -52 projecting upwardly from .the portion 43 to aid in moving material to the conveyor.

Theoperation of the loading machine will be clearlyunderstood from the description given. The-machine illustrated is moved along the mine 'trackway to the material to be loaded and the front elevating conveyor 4 'is then adjusted to locate its loading end in a position for gathering material. The chains |5 are then driven concurrently to move the-scraper bars I9 orbitally upwardly over'theplate I4 at the bottom of the conveyor and down again beneath the plate M, and the chains 35=are driven torotate the disklike members 23 of the gathering mechanism 6 in opposite directions to cause the points 38 to approach the upper lip of theshovel plate in alternation. As the members 23 rotate, the gathering arms 3| are forced forwardly into the material due to engagement between the portions 39 of the arms and the cam portions 46 formed on the shovel plate. The gathering arms are held'by the cam portions 46 in extended positions to carry the material over the shovel plate to the conveyor, but after each arm has been moved to a position where all the material ahead of it has been discharged onto the conveyor its portion 39 is moved out of engagement with the cam portion 46, and the cam portion 43 on the. arm is moved into engagement with the nose 48' of the cam element or portion 48 on the shovel plate. Engagement between the portions 43 s and 48' causes the arms to be swung abruptly about their pivot pins 30 away from the conveyor, thereby causing the ends 38 to move across above the lip at the front end of the conveyor 4 until their innermost position is reached. They then move, with the ends 38 only overhanging the sidesof the conveyor trough, forwardly for a short distance, and then move on around arcuately until the position for their projection again is attained. As the scraper bars l9 move over the bottom plate I4 of the conveyor the material is picked up and carried to the rear conveyor where it is conducted by any suitable means, like the conveyor 5, to a mine car or other suitable receptacle at the rear of the loading machine.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved loading machine has been provided having improved gathering mechanism. It will further be noted that there has been provided an improved gathering device for a loading machine in which gathering members are moved into material gathering and discharging positions in an improved manner. As a more specific result of this inyention, it will be noted that an improved gathering mechanism, providing for the movement of material onto a conveyor but operating so as not to pull any of the deposited material 01f of it, has been made available-one in which the motion of the gathering extremities laterally from extended position to a position close to the sides of the conveyor is at or below ing head at a point adjacent its own leading and, stud arm comprising angularly related inner and outer arm portions, saidouter arm portion having adigging end, and stationary cam devices at ,7

opposite sides of the pivotal axis of said head, one

of said cam devices nearer said axis than the other, said cam device nearer said head pivot axis being engageable by the inner'arm portion to project and maintain in material-moving position said outer arm portion, and said inner arm portion having adjacent the arm pivot a projecting cam portion adapted to engage the stationary cam device which is more remote from said head pivot axis to swing said arm into retracted position and maintain it therein.

' 2. In an apparatus of the character described, a conveyor, a shovel plate having an'edge over which material is moved onto the conveyor and a gathering device mounted on the shovel plate adjacent to but at one side of said edge, saidgathering device having at least one arm pivotally mounted thereon, said arm having an outer digging portion and an inner, pivotally supported supporting portion, said outer portion having an end which in the projected position of said arm extends beyond the center lineof said conveyor, cam means coacting with the inner side of said inner arm portion to swing thearm into digging position, and cam means including a .stationary cam beyond the line of said edge, and a cooperating cam projection on the inner 'arm portion.

whose forward side is engageable with said stationary cam; substantially as the outer arm portion reachessaid edge. for moving said outer arm I portion to the side of said conveyor to prevent its pulling material from said conveyor.

3. apparatus asdefined in claim 2 in which the profile of said cam projection and the orbit of thearmpivot are designed and constructed to move the outer arm portion transversely of said conveyor, substantially along the line of said edge, to the sideof the conveyor.

4. In a loading mechanism, in combination, a

' movable frame, a conveyor means mounted on the point at which material is swept over onto than the material moves upon the conveyor, also precludes dragging of material ofi the conveyor. It will further be evident that by the provision of the flexible gate between the shovel plate and the conveyor bottom plate, undesired escape of material from the conveyor is substantially reduced. These and other uses and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specifically described one form and a modification thereof which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form and modification are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be further modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by said frame for moving material to be loaded, a shovel portion on said frame at the receiving end of said conveyor means, and gathering means mounted on said shovel portion for moving material across said shovel portion and discharging it on said conveyor means, said gathering means comprising rotatable disk-like members mounted on said shovel portion for rotation about axes perpendicular to the upper surface of said shovel portion, gathering arms pivotally connected to the lower surfaces of said disk-like members at their outer edges and having material gathering portions extending substantially radially from said disk-like members, cam surfaces formed on opposite sides of said arms, and cam surfaces formed on said shovel portion and successively engageable by the cam surfaces on said arms for effecting movement of the gathering portions of said arms substantially radial- -ly of said disk-like members into material gathering and discharging positions.

5. A material gathering mechanism for a loadering arms into material gathering positions and another of said last mentioned cam surfaces engageable by the cam surfaces at the opposite side of the inner portions for moving said gathering arms into material discharge positions.

6. A material gathering mechanism for a load.- ing conveyor comprising, in combination, a rotatable member, gathering arms each having one end pivotally connected to said rotatable member at a point spaced from the axis of rotation of the latter, each of said gathering arms having a gathering portion extending substantially radial- 1y from said rotatable member and a cam providing portion adjacent the pivoted end, oppositely directed cam surfaces on said cam providing portions, and cam members relative to which said gathering arms move and which are successively engageable by said cam surfaces for effecting a swinging of said gathering arms about their pivots, thereby moving said gathering portions into material gathering and discharging positions during rotation of said rotatable member,

'7. A material gathering mechanism for a loading conveyor comprising, in combination, a rotatable member, gathering arms each having one end pivotally connected to said rotatable member at a point spaced from the axis of rotation of the latter, each of said gathering arms having a gathering portion extending substantially radially from said rotatable member and a plurality of 'cam portions adjacent its pivoted end, one of said cam portions extending outwardly from the arm and spaced from said'gathering portion, material gathering means attached to said cam portion, and cam members relative to which said gathering arms move and which are en'gageable by said cam portions for efiecting a swinging of said gathering arms about their pivots, thereby moving said gathering portions into material gathering and discharging positions during rotation of said rotatable member.

8. A material gathering mechanism for a loading conveyor comprising, in combination, a rotatable member, gathering arms each having one end pivotally connected to said rotatable member at apoint spaced from the axis of rotation of the latter, each of said gathering arms having a gathering portion extending substantially radially from said rotatable member and a plurality of cam portions adjacent its pivoted end, one of said cam portions extending outwardly from the arm and spaced from said gathering portion, and cam members relative to which said gathering arms move and which are engageable by said cam portions for effecting a..swinging ofv said gathering arms about their pivots, thereby moving said gathering portions into material gathering and discharging positions during rotation of said rotatable member.

9. A material. gathering mechanism for a loading conveyor comprising, in combination, a rotatable member, at least one arm pivotally connected at one end to said rotatable member, said arm having'a gathering portion extending outwardly from said rotatable member and an inner portion formed at an angle with the gathering portion, a stationary cam surface curved outwardly in the direction of rotation of said rotatable member and eng-ageable by one side of said inner arm portion for moving said arm outwardly toward a material gathering position, a cam projection formed on the other side of said inner arm portion, and a stationary cam member engageable by said cam projection when said inner arm portion is moved out of engagement with said outwardly curved cam surface for swinging said arm abruptly inwardly toward a material releasing position.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a conveyor, a shovel plate having an edge over which material is moved onto said conveyor, and

a gathering device mounted on said shovel plate for moving material across said shovel plate and discharging it on said conveyor, said gathering device comprising a rotating head, a plurality of arms pivotally connected to said rotating head, each of said arms comprising an outer gathering portion extending substantially radiallyfrom said head and an inner portion formed at an angle with said outer portion, cam means coacting with the inner side of said inner arm portion to swing the arm into material gathering position, and means including a stationary cam and a cam projection on the inner arm portion erigageable with said stationary cam substantially as the gathering portion'of the arm reaches said shovel plate edge for moving the arm away from said conveyor.

11. A material gathering mechanism for a loading conveyor comprising, in combination, a rotatable member, gathering arms each having one end pivotally connected to said rotatable member at a point spaced from the axis of rotation of the latter, each of said gathering arms having a gathering portion extending substantially radially from said rotatable member and a plurality of cam portions adjacent its pivoted end, and cam members relative to which said gathering arms move and which are successively engageable by said cam portions for effecting movement of the gathering portions of said arms substantially radially of said rotatable member into material gathering and discharging positions.

CARL J. \IVATNE. 

